Piper Bulletin February 2010

From The Power of Professional Volunteers, NCOA

1. Use targeted messages in recruiting older adult volunteers and change them as needed. Use community, HOA and club publications, and network in the community to find interested individuals.
2. Immediately follow up on all inquiries. Engage them before they find another opportunity. Once engaged, they are engaged.
3. Be as flexible as possible on service opportunities in order to accommodate and use the talents of potential volunteers. These experienced workers may have talents, from research to technical advice, you have never thought of incorporating into your programs.
4. Orient volunteers to the agency so they can see how their service fits into the larger picture and makes a difference.
5. Use a signed volunteer agreement that clearly defines the roles, responsibilities and outcomes for both the volunteers and the nonprofit.
6. Solicit ideas and information from the older adults you tap about how to appeal to other professionals and about the roles volunteers want and expect to fulfill.